6 Historic Houses Decked Out for the Holidays

If you are craving some holiday inspiration along with a dash of history, you can immerse yourself in seasonal decor at one of New York’s many historic sites.

While they are fascinating any time of year, many historic houses shine during December with festively adorned period rooms and special tours and programs. We’ve rounded up six houses outside of Brooklyn that have decked their halls for the holidays.

Holiday Classic Mansion Tour at Lyndhurst
Tarrytown, N.Y.
Thursdays through Tuesdays until December 29, times vary
Constructed in 1838, Lyndhurst is a dramatic Gothic Revival estate designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, a giant of early 19th century American architecture. The house was purchased by railroad magnate Jay Gould in the 1880s and is festooned with dozens of trees, elaborate table settings, and other decorations during the holiday season.

The Holiday Classic Mansion Tour is a one-hour guided tour delving into the history, architecture, and art of the mansion. For those who prefer to soak in the holiday atmosphere at their own pace, there are also tickets available to roam on your own on November 30 and December 1. Information on all tickets and times are available online.

Victorian Christmas at the Armour-Stiner Octagon House
Irvington, N.Y.
Through December 30, times and days vary
It’s an architectural standout and for the holidays you can get a look inside the unusual 1870s manse. The restored interior, already a decorative wonder, is swathed for “A Victorian Christmas” event with elaborate holiday decor including garlands, wreaths and a Christmas tree in the impressive salon.

Tickets for the guided hour-long tour of the private home are required and should be purchased in advance online.

Glenview Holiday Tour
Hudson River Museum
Yonkers, N.Y.
Wednesdays to Fridays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 3 p.m. through December 29

A riverside home built in 1877 for the Wall Street banker John Bond Trevor and his family, the house is now part of the Hudson River Museum of Yonkers. The Gilded Age manse is exuberantly decorated during the holidays, with trees, toys, and ornate table settings. An added element this year are artistic re-imaginings of traditional kissing balls created by contemporary artists.

Visitors can view the trimmings through the end of December during a 45-minute guided tour. In addition to the regularly offered tours there are some special free 30-minute tours as part of the Free First Fridays program as well as other offerings. The full tour schedule is available online.

Holiday Tours at Wilderstein
Rhinebeck, N.Y.
Fridays through Sundays through December 29, at 1, 2, and 4 p.m.

An elaborate Queen Anne-style mansion, Wilderstein was home to three generations of the Suckley family. The last family member to live in the house, Daisy Suckley, a cousin and close friend of FDR, left behind furniture, photos, books, letters, and artwork, allowing the museum to tell the full tale of one family.

Guided tours lead visitors through the festively accented rooms, and the surrounding landscape is also open for exploration. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival.

A Gilded Christmas at Mills Mansion
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Staatsburgh, N.Y.
Through December 31, times and days vary

Celebrate a Gilded Age-style Christmas at Staatsburgh. Also known as Mills Mansion, the Greek Revival style home was transformed in 1896 into a Beaux Arts mansion by McKim, Mead and White. The historic site embraces the lavishness of the era with turn-of-the-century decoration and a striking Christmas tree.

The holiday embellishments will be on display until December 31 and there are some special programs as well. Children can participate in “Holiday Whodunit” by interviewing costumed interpreters to solve a mystery. Reservations are required for all tours and programs, and more details can be found online.

Holiday Tours at Locust Grove
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays through December 30
Tickets available on a first come, first served basis on open days

A striking Italianate villa, Locust Grove was designed in 1850 by Alexander Jackson Davis for artist and inventor Samuel F.B. Morse. After his death, the property was rented by the Young family, who eventually purchased the house. It remained in family hands until the 1970s and opened to the public in 1979 with a vast collection of Young family art and furniture.

The rooms are dressed for the holidays with trees decorated as odes to holiday songs like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, O Holy Night, and more. The festive decorations can be seen via guided tours. For children there are family days on December 8, 15, and 22. Information on tours and events are available online.

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